Adrian Peterson

Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is expected in court Wednesday to face child abuse charges stemming from an incident in May. Peterson’s lawyer said Tuesday, if a judge asks him for a plea, it will be not guilty.

Yes, Adrian Peterson said, the allegation that he struck his young son with a branch is true. No, he does not believe he committed a crime. This type of discipline, he said, is how his parents punished him. The charge of child abuse, Peterson said, does not apply because he meant the boy no harm.

The Minnesota Vikings recorded over 200 yards rushing against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The offensive line was a big part of rookie Jerick McKinnon and veteran Matt Asiata’s big days. The Vikings made a roster move by signing quarterback Chandler Harnish to the practice squad and released wide receiver Donte Foster. Former Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford signed with the Washington Redskins.

A Minnesota mother is coming to the defense of the Vikings’ star running back. Adrian Peterson is charged with hitting his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch in Texas. Two years ago, a mom named April did something similar at a beach in northern Minnesota.

In a span of 14 days, the Vikings have gone from a 1-0 start to a 1-2 record. Adrian Peterson’s image has been all but wiped from the franchise, and major injuries are piling up, from their starting quarterback to their starting tight end.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has filed a petition to protect Adrian Peterson’s 4-year-old son. According to the county, they have filed a Child in Need of Protection or Services petition. The petition outlines some of injuries the boy sustained while visiting Peterson and also outlines a safety plan for Peterson and the boy’s mother to follow.

The fallout continues in the aftermath of Adrian Peterson’s departure from the Minnesota Vikings. While the team has removed most of Peterson’s presence from its website, Peterson is still featured in both the still images and animations for the team’s new $1 billion stadium.

The child abuse investigation involving Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson continues to shake up the NFL, fans and even former players. Now one of the greatest players in Minnesota Vikings history is speaking out with strong words for Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Vikings and Peterson.

Twin Cities criminal defense attorney Joe Tamburino stopped by the WCCO This Morning show on Thursday to give his take on the case and what’s next for Adrian Peterson. He won’t be stepping on a football field until the legal matter is resolved, and there’s a chance he may never play for the Vikings again.

The Adrian Peterson case has opened up a national conversation about how to respond when a child misbehaves. On Monday, Peterson released a statement saying in part, “I’m not a perfect parent, but I am, without a doubt, not a child abuser.”

The Minnesota Vikings owners admitted Wednesday that they made a mistake when it came to the decisions regarding RB Adrian Peterson’s status with the team, after last week’s child abuse charges surfaced.

From the cover of the New York Daily News on Monday that featured a smiling Vikings fan carrying a switch, to the dozens of reporters and photographers who descended on Winter Park Wednesday for a news conference, criticism of the team has been harsh. As the Vikings owners explained yet another about face, the analysis from ESPN’s analysts was tough.

Nike announced Wednesday that it would be suspending its contract with Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in light of his recent child abuse charges. “Nike in no way condones child abuse or domestic violence of any kind and has shared our concerns with the NFL,” a press representative for the company said.

The Minnesota Vikings were not competitive in their loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, but head coach Mike Zimmer sees it as a way to find something out about his team. They also announced a pair of personnel was reinstated to the team. Special teams coach Mike Priefer had his suspension reduced from three to two games after undergoing sensitivity training. Running back Adrian Peterson will be active for the Vikings going forward.

The Vikings hold a title the team doesn’t celebrate – the most players arrested in the NFL. According to USA Today, 45 Minnesota Vikings have been arrested since 2000. That’s double the league average.